Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for New York, which lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Johnson, Detroit’s first-round draft pick last year, made his second start of the season because Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was out with a core muscle strain. He is out at least until the All-Star break.

The Knicks started the game 1 of 10 from the field and trailed 12-2 — with Detroit’s first 12 points all coming from 3-point range. The Pistons led by 12 after one and began the second quarter with a 21-6 run, taking a 48-21 lead on a dunk by Aron Baynes.

New York’s terrible half came to a fitting conclusion after Anthony made a free throw with 4 seconds left. The Knicks let Brandon Jennings get free behind the defense for a long pass, and his layup made it 60-36.

New York outscored the Pistons 35-18 in the third. Arron Afflalo finished with 24 points for the Knicks, who looked poised to come away with a remarkable victory before Tolliver’s shot turned the game back in Detroit’s favor.

While on the bench, the Pistons wore red shirts that said “FLINTNOW” as part of a relief effort launched by owner Tom Gores. A Flint native, Gores has pledged to raise $10 million to address the water crisis there.

The team announced earlier this week that players and executives will commit $500,000 to the effort. Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Antonio Smith — three former Michigan State players who are from Flint — took part in the ceremonial game ball presentation before the game.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Caldwell-Pope’s consecutive games streak — the second-longest active one in the league — ended at 208. ... Drummond landed hard after being fouled by Lance Thomas near the basket in the fourth. Thomas was given a flagrant foul. Drummond was able to keep playing. ... The 3-pointer was the only field goal Tolliver attempted.